Prime Transport Limited (PTL), Karachi, plans to manufacture 6000 purpose-built taxis annually that would have UK technology installed. The plan was unveiled and presented to Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad by PTL Chief Executive Muhammad Dawood Khan at the Governor House on Wednesday.

Dawood Khan explained the salient features of the project and requested the governor to help his company in acquiring 450 acres of land to start the proposed venture without delay.

The PTL CEO informed the Governor that out of the 6000 taxis, 3000 would be used in the country while the remaining 3000 would be exported. The cost of the project would be about $200 million and would employ at least 2500 workforce of various skills and trades. It is expected that a parallel ancillary and vendor industry would complement this novel project.

It may be recalled that the Board of Revenue has earmarked 17000 acres of land at Dhabeji that would ensure a convenient movement of goods to and from Dhabeji Industrial Area. PTL has already submitted expression of interest to install its manufacturing unit at this site as it realises that the area is ideal for such a venture.

Khan said that the taxi service would be satellite-controlled, which would be provided with call centres for controlling dispatch of vehicles accompanied by a technical and operational staff. A residential colony is also on the anvil to house the workforce and avoid commuting from long distances. A new power generation plant and water supply facility would be erected before the project is commissioned.

Dr Ibad listened to the proposal with interest and promised the PTL CEO that he (Governor) would visit Dhabeji to personally see the area that is destined to be an industrial city.

The governor asked Khalid Mahmood Soomro, Member Board of Revenue Land Utilization, to expedite the process of land allotment to facilitate the prospective investors, industrialists and businessmen start their business ventures. He firmly believed that the new industrial city would be a great success.

Others present at the meeting were PTL Director Mahreen D Khan, company Secretary Nasim Ahmed, Co-ordinator Ismat Abbas, Chief Minister's Investment Cell's Chairman Muslim Abbasi, Additional Secretary, LTI&C Department Kaleem Makki and acting Director General of Board of Investment, Karachi, Nasreen Ali.